Music recommendations- Vulfpeck

I’m slightly addicted  ATM!

Isn’t it great when you discover new music/bands!? So, I was going back through old episodes of the ‘Scott’s Bass Lessons’ podcast, and back in 2022 Scott and Ian were bemoaning the current state of the music industry as a result of music streaming (in particular Spotify), and a point they explored were bands/musicians  who were actually ‘killing it’ in this current landscape. And one of the bands they named was Vulfpeck, which I then immediately pulled up on my Spotify app to see what all the fuss was all about. And OMG! I haven’t been able to stop playing them ever since!

Vulfpeck is an American funk band, started in 2011 by a bunch of Michigan University Music School students, and in the prevailing dozen or so years, they have  released 7 albums, which I’m slowly making my way through.

At first I just had their Spotify Artist channel on Shuffle Play, but after hearing the same songs a few times now (although they’re great, but I also want to hear something fresh), so I’m now focusing on working my way through each of their albums one at a time to catch their less popular/less played songs, so I have them on whenever I get a chance- like In the car, before bed, while showering, while having breakfast etc.

Their music is categorised as funk, but I think they’re more eclectic than that. Some tracks sound quite familiar, one particular track had definite ‘Jackson 5’ vibes to it, which is expected as funk is Motown! However there’s also a track which reminds me of music you’d find in a Japanese anime series. Meanwhile, some of their songs remind me of the Aussie band ‘The Cat Empire’, which is all good as I really dig those guys! And I’d say around 50% of their music is instrumentals only, which in any other album/playlist would be a definite snoozefest, however when it’s the Vulfpeck musos doing their thang? It’s all good! Honestly, their music is so body movin’ I can’t sit still while listening to them (even lying down in bed), and a highlight for me, is the fact that their bass guitar player (Joe Dart)is so front and centre in their band and arrangements, so much so that many times the Guitar Hero of the song is in-fact the Bass player! Which doesn’t happen all that often, considering that a bass instrument/sound is often relegated to the background to be kind-of heard and definitely not seen.

Armed with my own bass guitar, I was tempted to play along with one of their tracks. But I found it to be impossible! As their music is so unpredictable and improvisational, I was unable to follow on, as their transitions and progressions were all over the place- which is great for the listener, as it keeps you on your toes when you’re listening, but not great if you’re trying to play along. Haaha. But more credit to them, for their artistry and musical feel, and I’d love to see these guys live! Sign me up if they’re ever coming down under to Australia for some shows!

If you haven’t heard of them before, check Vulfpeck out  on Spotify! Just search for them on your Spotify app!